Three processes to enhance your professional skills
Although we're capable of learning in many ways, there’s rarely the time, especially in the workplace, to take a step back and consider how we’re learning and whether or not we could be doing more to improve our communication performance. Here, Sue Dewhurst focuses on three processes you can try to enhance your professional skills.
by Sue Dewhurst, managing director, The SD Group
One of my favorite quotes about learning comes from Confucius. It says: "By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third, by experience, which is the most bitter."
Often, when we think about learning, the temptation is to look for a book or a course that will just tell us how to do it, whether it's a step-by-step guide to the basics or something that explains more advanced techniques. But as somebody said to me recently, whilst change communication "by the book" can look very neat, tidy and logical, the reality is far more messy and unpredictable. Certainly, much of my own development in change communication has come via the routes Confucius describes. Below are my thoughts on three areas of learning:
1. Experiential learning
A huge amount of my expertise has been built through experience. I've climbed my steepest learning curves and gained some of the deepest learning through getting involved with programs and situations I've never worked with before. Sometimes I felt out of my depth and often I was doing that well-known impression of a swan – looking (I hope) serene on the outside whilst paddling furiously under the water. At times the experience was bitter, but I certainly did learn.
2. Reflection
Over the years, my approach has been shaped by reflection. In general, I don't think we spend enough time measuring and evaluating as professional communicators. Much value can be gained in regularly taking stock, especially during a change program, as you can reflect on what hasn't worked so far and change it before it's too late. Failing that, at least take some time afterwards to reflect on what you'd do differently next time. The pace of working life means it's too tempting to rush straight onto the next announcement and make the same mistakes all over again.
The other point about reflection is that it's often useful to set aside time to take a fresh look at things you may already think you know how to do. I've seen some of the best outcomes in communicating difficult news, such as redundancies, from communication professionals and managers who were in that situation for the first time. They felt the weight of responsibility so heavily that they invested time in preparation and thought long and hard about how to get the best result for the organization and the people affected.
Conversely, I've seen some of the biggest slip-ups from people who have been involved in those kinds of announcements for years. That's when carelessness and complacency creep in.
I've been in meetings about restructures where the talk has revolved purely around numbers, FTEs or "heads". Sit through enough of those and you can find yourself becoming immune to the impact you're about to have on people's lives. And I would challenge any communicator who says their workload means they "no longer have the time" to invest in preparing to communicate difficult news in the way they used to.
3. Imitation
I once business partnered a leader who regularly urged his team to network, look for good ideas and "steal with dignity"! Whether it's by attending conferences, reading case studies, getting in a room with other communicators and sharing experiences or just picking up the phone to a colleague, taking the time to learn from other people's successes and mistakes can pay dividends.
Sometimes you may come across a technique you've not tried before – I've seen several people try out storytelling or think about learning pictures or learning maps after hearing from fellow Black Belt participants who've tried them. More often, you may pick up small tips that can really sharpen your approach. Other times you'll be reminded of something you know is important in theory, but haven't been doing in practice.
Make learning part of your agenda
As you think about developing your change communication skills, try incorporating these three elements into your planning. Look for an opportunity to support a stretch project or a secondment into an unfamiliar area.
Resolve to allow more time for reflection – think about how you'll build measurement into your communication plans and include a review meeting as part of the activity timeline. And consider how you can make more use of your network to learn from other people's experiences.
Sue Dewhurst runs The SD Group and leads Melcrum's Black Belt training program. Find out more about this highly regarded internal communication program.
Recommended resources:
TOP TIPS: 10 ways to prove your worth
Melcrum report: How to develop effective internal communication partnerships
Secrets of a strong leader: sharp listening skills
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